TRENTON, N.J. – A Superior Court judge has issued a temporary injunction stopping a Passaic County man from providing medical, psychological, and counseling services at a Bergen County stress clinic amid allegations he posed as a licensed professional without any credentials, state officials announced Friday.
The order, issued Sept. 24 by Superior Court Judge Nicholas Ostuni Sr., prohibits Imran Rasid of Wayne and his business, Stress Reduction Clinic, Inc. in Paramus, from offering services that require professional licensure anywhere in New Jersey until further notice. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Consumer Affairs.
According to court filings, Rasid has never been licensed to practice medicine, psychology, counseling, or therapy in the state, yet advertised himself as “Dr. Imran Rasid” with credentials including “MD” and “PhD.” Investigators said Rasid claimed he was board-certified, affiliated with hospitals, and even a therapist to celebrities and world leaders.
Complaints filed with state boards alleged that Rasid treated patients for anxiety, misrepresented his qualifications, refused to submit insurance claims, and in one case, acted in a sexually inappropriate manner toward a patient. An undercover investigator also reported Rasid introduced himself as a physician and psychologist, made sweeping promises of cures, and attempted to diagnose conditions without proper training or credentials.
The State’s seven-count verified complaint accuses Rasid of multiple counts of unlicensed practice as well as consumer fraud violations for misrepresentation and unconscionable commercial practices.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin said licensing safeguards exist “to protect the safety and welfare of the public by ensuring healthcare practitioners are qualified, competent, and practicing in accordance with the ethical and professional standards set by our licensing boards.”
The court has reserved a decision on whether Rasid may continue hypnocounseling, a stress-management technique allowed only under limited circumstances for unlicensed individuals.
Key Points
- A judge issued a temporary injunction barring Wayne resident Imran Rasid from practicing at his Paramus clinic.
- Rasid allegedly posed as a doctor and psychologist without any licenses, offering therapy, counseling and medical services.
- The State’s lawsuit accuses him of unlicensed practice and consumer fraud violations following patient complaints and undercover investigations.
A suburban stress clinic is now at the center of a sweeping state fraud case.
